Presidents Day – Celebrating Leaders at Maine Camps

As we celebrate President’s Day, we think about all the important leaders we’ve had from our founding fathers through modern day. While we don’t call our camp owners and directors “presidents,” we thought we’d take this week’s blog to celebrate the leaders of Maine Camps.

Each summer, thousands of families entrust their children to Maine Camp directors who are strong leaders. These directors are responsible for the health and welfare of our children, as well as the growth and development kids will experience while at camp. Maine Camp directors are the ringmasters of very elaborate, well-oiled “three-ring circuses” if you will of meaningful youth development programming, top-notch supervision, and fun! They know when to be large and in charge at the forefront, and when to hang back and let the magic unfold.

We think about and appreciate everything our camp directors do. They hire and train outstanding staff who help campers gain confidence and independence, and navigate the world around them. The counselors take care of our kids and help them thrive as they gain life and activity skills in a short period of time. They teach campers to make their beds, learn to waterski and sail, play tennis, score goals, and ride BMX bikes, to paint and photograph beautiful scenery, participate in the plays, learn new dances, and more! 

Directors and staff really get to know the kids and help bring out the best in campers. They teach them resilience and self-advocacy like setting a goal and achieving like how to get to the next level swim group, or climb to the top of a rock wall, or write and sing a song. They also give campers opportunities to get out of their comfort zones to do things they don’t usually do at home like pitch a tent for overnight camp outs, and hike and raft in scenic Maine environs.

Directors also instill a greater sense of purpose and responsibility in older campers by making them “big brothers and big sisters” and having them lead some special events. Having older campers help plan and run events as role models are incredible lessons in leadership.

While creating an environment that campers can grow and thrive as individuals, directors also create a strong community where campers are bound together during any one particular summer and also woven into the fabric of the history of that camp – bonding generations to generations. Through songs, traditions, and special events, the directors are at the helm of the culture of their camp – instilling values and traditions that help make campers who they are and who they become. 

Directors make so many important decisions throughout the year and during the summer. It is admirable that hundreds and thousands of campers and staff depend on them for everything from: multiple meals a day, comfortable accommodations, and well-maintained grounds, to fun programming, exciting special events, and memorable out-of-camp trips, plus so much more. Directors run top-notch health centers, plan robust intercamp schedules, and are good communicators to keep parents abreast of everything happening at camp.

Directors are acting in loco parentis while campers are in their care, so it’s important that parents feel comfortable that their camp directors are smart, dedicated, caring, energetic, and responsible. As our Maine Camp directors gear up for another Maine Camp summer, we salute them and their efforts to always make each year the best summer ever!

Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.  

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.